Many of the healthiest lands of the west are managed by private landowners. They provide multiple public benefits to local communities, including preservation of open space, wildlife habitat, healthy water sources, and the cultivation of biodiversity.
The Diablo Trust and the University of Arizona Southwest Center will host a gathering of western ranch families, rural land trusts and rancher based coalitions to map out the future for the bundling and marketing of such benefits. The group will aim to establish ways to enhance stewardship of such services and market them in ways that provide income to ranching properties. Participants are among the leaders in western land management innovation.
Blackstone Ranch Institute has provided financial support and strategic guidance for the initial gatherings.
Blackstone Ranch Institute is co-sponsoring events with other organizations that share its mission of influencing positive environmental change. The institute provides support to those who are engaged in vital strategic dialogs at the inception or breakout stage of major social innovation.
